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Efficacy of modified Tochen’s formula for optimum endotracheal tube placement in low birth weight neonates: an RCT

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 512–516 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To assess the efficacy of modified Tochen’s formula (birth weight + 5 cm) when compared to Tochen’s formula for optimum placement of endotracheal tubes (ET) in low birth weight (LBW) neonates.

Study design:

In the NICU of a tertiary care hospital, LBW babies requiring intubation were randomized to Tochen’s formula or modified Tochen’s formula. The incidence of inadequate placement and optimum length of ET insertion were estimated. Analysis was done by the Chi square and 't’-tests.

Results:

Sixty-seven babies were included: 34 in Tochen’s group and 33 in modified Tochen’s group. Baseline characteristics were similar. Modified Tochen’s formula was significantly (p = 0.006) closer to the optimum position when compared to Tochen’s formula. The percentages of optimum and adequate placements of the ET tube was higher in the modified Tochen’s group, though not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Modified Tochen’s formula in LBW babies may enable more optimum placement of ETs.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the fellows and postgraduates working in the NICU who helped with the randomization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interns in St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, 560034, India

    Dharamveer Tatwavedi & Priyanka Mathias

  2. Department of Neonatology, St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, 560034, India

    Saudamini V Nesargi & Suman Rao PN

  3. Department of Anatomy, St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, 560034, India

    Nachiket Shankar

Authors
  1. Dharamveer Tatwavedi
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  2. Saudamini V Nesargi
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  4. Priyanka Mathias
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  5. Suman Rao PN
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saudamini V Nesargi.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Tatwavedi, D., Nesargi, S., Shankar, N. et al. Efficacy of modified Tochen’s formula for optimum endotracheal tube placement in low birth weight neonates: an RCT. J Perinatol 38, 512–516 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0044-8

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